Gautam Gambhir was extensively credited because the crew mentor for his function in Kolkata Knight Riders’ march to the IPL title in 2024.
It was on the again of this success that Gambhir was given the job of teaching India final July. With the 43-year-old having to half methods with KKR in consequence, pacer Harshit Rana was requested on Monday whether or not the franchise was feeling Gambhir’s absence.
“Our assist employees is mainly the identical. Abhishek Nayar is again too, however the thrill issue that GG introduced in is lacking, that’s what I personally really feel I miss,” Rana mentioned.
On being pressed to elaborate, Rana referred to Gambhir’s aura. “You additionally know that he has an aura with which he takes the crew alongside. I used to be simply referring to that.”
No coach can change a participant over 4-6 weeks in franchise cricket: Pietersen
Within the prime of his enjoying profession, Kevin Pietersen relished the centrestage. All eyes can be transfixed on the England batting stalwart as he plonked his entrance foot down the pitch and took on all kinds of bowlers. He was the inventor of the swap hit, a shot that has turn out to be a matter of conference for the modern batter.
When Delhi Capitals introduced Pietersen on board as mentor for this 12 months’s IPL, it might have hoped for the 44-year-old to cross on a few of his huge experience and expertise to the present lot of gamers. However in a two-month match just like the IPL, amid a taxing concoction of frequent matches, incessant journey and off-field commitments, it’s value asking whether or not a high-profile coach or mentor can actually make a substantive distinction to a participant’s method and outlook.
READ: DC vs KKR, IPL 2025 preview: Spinners, floor in highlight as Capitals tackle Knight Riders
“I all the time knew that once I was enjoying franchise cricket, no explicit coach may change you over that four-to-six-week interval. Final night time, I used to be engaged on one thing with Abishek Porel. We’re 5 weeks into the match, and I informed Abi that this isn’t going to be just right for you tomorrow. It won’t be just right for you subsequent week, however for those who maintain engaged on it over the following two to 4 months, I promise you that is going that will help you turn out to be a extra damaging batter,” Pietersen informed the media on Sunday.
“So, the important thing is to lay foundations every now and then. Additionally, simply mentally making an attempt to modify just a few gamers on and make them suppose higher. Attempting to alter method takes time as a result of it’s coaching the mind via repetition. Whereas the psychological swap, there you may have an effect.”
In a lighter vein, Pietersen’s banter with Ok.L. Rahul has elicited just a few laughs on social media. Rendering reward on the 33-year-old for taking part in a starring function for DC to date, the previous England captain mentioned: “When you’ve obtained to turn out to be a distinct participant for a format that is evolving on a regular basis, it’s troublesome. So, the best way that Rahul has modified is of credit score to the individual he’s. I’d have Rahul bat at 4 and maintain wickets for India in T20Is.”